Packers 53 Man Roster Prediction: Start of Training Camp
Here's my crack at a 53-man roster for the Packers. Check out Jon's here.
Quarterbacks (2): Aaron Rodgers, Brett Hundley
Notable cut: Joe Callahan
After the Packers jettisoned him last season, Joe Callahan bounced around the league. The quarterback spent a full month on the Browns roster before rejoining Green Bay in December. Callahan had the opportunities to show off in preseason thanks to Brett Hundley’s injury.
I don’t anticipate Hundley being injured this year, and newcomer Taysom Hill will take valuable game snaps away from Callahan. Ultimately, I see Callahan’s time with Green Bay ending this summer.
Running backs and fullbacks (4): Ty Montgomery, Aaron Ripkowski, Jamaal Williams, Aaron Jones
Notable cut: Devante Mays
The Packers have a hard time parting with their draft picks as rookies, even if they’re ineffective in their first training camp. For goodness sakes, Carl Bradford had more lives than a cat and was given ample opportunities to seize a roster spot.
Devante Mays gets cut in my initial roster solely based off of his draft spot. Jon profiled Mays after the draft, and he’s got the measurables and tape to stick in this league.
Perhaps one of the three drafted rookie running backs (Mays, Jamaal Williams and Aaron Jones) finds their way on injured reserve, and Green Bay can keep all three on the roster this year.
Wide receivers (6): Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Randall Cobb, DeAngelo Yancey, Trevor Davis, Malachi Dupre, Geronimo Allison (suspended)
Notable cuts: Jeff Janis, Max McCaffrey
Geronimo Allison’s suspension is as much of a blessing as a suspension can be, because it delays a hard roster decision by one week. The Packers have four notable receivers vying for two – maybe three – roster spots: DeAngelo Yancey, Malachi Dupre, Jeff Janis and Trevor Davis.
Don’t rule out one of the other receivers on the roster making a name for themselves. Allison was off most radars before camp began last season, and every year seems to feature a different receiver stepping up.
Tight ends (3): Martellus Bennett, Lance Kendricks, Richard Rodgers
At this point, I’m not convinced Beau Sandland or Aaron Peck can outperform Richard Rodgers for the third tight end spot. Rodgers’ playing time in 2017 will be significantly diminished, however.
Offensive line (10): David Bakhtiari, Lane Taylor, Corey Linsley, Jahri Evans, Bryan Bulaga, Jason Spriggs, Don Barclay, Geoff Gray, Kyle Murphy
Notable cut: Kofi Amichia
Last year, the Packers kept eight offensive lineman. The year before, they kept nine. Given the uncertainty at both guard positions – Lane Taylor’s upcoming free agency and Jahri Evans’ aging body – I think there’s a good chance Green Bay hangs onto more lineman than normal.
This decision likely impacts the depth at either running back or wide receiver, too.
Defensive line (6): Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark, Ricky Jean Francois, Dean Lowry, Montravius Adams, Christian Ringo, Letroy Guion (suspended)
Notable cut: Brian Price
I may be in the minority, but I’m a believer in Christian Ringo. I enjoyed watching him when he had his opportunities last season.
Guion’s suspension could spell the end for him in Green Bay, but I anticipate the Packers keeping him on the roster through the duration of his suspension.
Outside linebackers (5): Nick Perry, Clay Matthews, Jayrone Elliott, Kyler Fackrell, Vince Biegel
Notable cut: Reggie Gilbert
There’s not a lot of depth here if you’re looking for name recognition. We’ll learn a lot about the rookies over the next few weeks at outside linebacker. If you’re an undrafted free agent pass rusher, Green Bay may have the easiest route to a roster spot.
Inside linebackers (4): Jake Ryan, Blake Martinez, Joe Thomas, Cody Heiman
Notable cut: Jordan Tripp
I’m a sucker for a good story, and I love Cody Heiman’s story. Interestingly enough, Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com pegged Heiman as a potential candidate to switch to fullback. Could he be Spencer Havner 2.0?
Cornerbacks (5): Damarious Randall, Davon House, Kevin King, LaDarius Gunter, Quinten Rollins
Notable cuts: Josh Hawkins, Demetri Goodson
Cornerbacks Joe Whitt Jr. has his hands full with this group. Eight cornerbacks enter camp in either their first, second or third year in the NFL.
Safeties (5): Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Morgan Burnett, Kentrell Brice, Josh Jones, Marwin Evans
Marwin Evans played well enough down the stretch and in the postseason last year to convince me to keep him on the roster over another cornerback. I like the future of both Evans and Kentrell Brice.
Specialists (3): Mason Crosby, Justin Vogel, Brett Goode
Notable cut: Derek Hart
Derek Hart may as well be an anagram for “Brett Goode’s going to take training camp off again this season.”